Even before he could set foot on Philippine soil for his Glam Nation Tour in Manila concert on Sunday, Oct. 10, at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Concert Grounds, Adam Lambert is already hounded by controversy, just as he was when, after finishing first runner-up in the 2009 edition of American Idol he confessed that he had a crush on Kris Allen (who was here last year), the winner.
Adam hasn’t admitted outright what his sexual preference is but the public, including his loyal fans who love and stick to him no matter what, must have made their own conclusion.
Since there are accounts in the US that Adam has the propensity of kissing on the lips good-looking men in the audience, there’s a rumor that his Manila concert might be classified “For Adults Only.” If teenagers 18 and below watch the concert, it wouldn’t be nice for them to see Adam repeating his “kissing act,” right? We are still a conservative society and parents wouldn’t let their children watch that kind of an act, would they?
If ever that classification is slapped on Adam’s show (although I doubt very much if Adam would dare do “it” here), crowd attendance will definitely be adversely affected.
Another controversy: Blue Dream Entertainment producers were mentioned in newspaper stories as having said that they were asked to donate P300,000 to the City of Pasay, placing the City Hall in a bad light. The producers have issued an apology to the Pasay City government, most especially to Mayor Antonio Calixto.
“The comments were false and unfairly attributed to our company without basis,” said Blue Dream Entertainment’s senior vice president and managing director, Christian Andoy. “We have the highest esteem for the leaders who have welcomed and assisted us in having Pasay City as the venue of our concert. It was unfair to claim that we were even given special treatment in Pasay even if the Adam Lambert 10.10.10 concert is our first venture in Pasay City. We apologize for the confusion.”
A Funfare source quoted Andoy as saying that Blue Dream has also produced local acts recently. “We’re even more excited to hold local concerts for our future projects. We support OPM, follow their regulations, and seek their permission as well, to hold concerts of foreign artists (in Manila). Like all producers, our aspiration is a successful project and to make the people realize that the show is worth the money they pay for.”
Meanwhile, The STAR correspondent Carlo Orosa did an e-mail interview with Adam for Funfare. Carlo prepared 12 questions but Adam answered only eight. Here they are:
1. Your list of work for Broadway musicals is quite impressive. When you
decided to join American IdoI, did you think of planning to go back to theater if you lost or just move on as a pop singer if you had won?
“I will always have a place in my life for theater. But for now, I really enjoy concentrating on my own solo recording career.”
2. You mentioned in your website that it was important that when you were recording your album it must have an international sound to make it more appealing to a broader international market so to speak. What to you is the form of an international sounding music?
“It’s international because there is something for everyone and the album borrows from many genres. Its eclectic sound crosses into many different cultural flavors.”
3. What kind of eyeliner do you use? Liquid or pencil, and what brand?
“Whatever my makeup artist puts on me. I have tried them all.”
4. What can you say about Filipina singer Charice?
“I am not aware of her work, but would love to hear her stuff!”
5. Do you have plans of writing a book someday about the great experiences you’ve had so far? What in general would you like to share as a theme in that book?
“That could be really amazing. I think it is a bit too soon for that now, but maybe someday. I think having a really positive theme would be something I would like it to portray.”
6. You’ve been controversial lately. What’s the worst impression about you that’s ever written that you want to clarify now?
“Well, most of the things that are written are false, so that is something I can clarify.”
7. What do you know about the Philippines?
“Not much! This will be my first time here and I am really excited!”
8. What is your long-term plan with regards to your singing career?
“I hope to just keep doing what I am doing and be around for awhile! I have a lot of ideas that I can’t wait to put into play.”
And here are the four questions that Adam didn’t answer:
• You and Kris Allen were roommates in AI. Who was more neat, you or he?
• You were cited as the first openly gay singer to ever record for a big mainstream label. What is that like to you?
• How does it feel to be a runner-up in AI?
• How well do you trust your managers? I’m sure that, being artistic, you have suggestions all the time. Can you cite examples of situations where you had to insist on having things done your way?
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)